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Tunxis Community College’s food pantry received a special donation from an Avon third-grader on Nov. 13.

For her ninth birthday, Emily Lamar asked her fellow students to bring food donations to her celebration instead of gifts. Her classmates from Roaring Brook School joined her for a party at a trampoline park where they donated over 80 pounds of food for those in need.

Emily Lamar is shown with a few of the items from the 80 pounds of food she received from classmates and donated.

“I just thought of all the people who are hungry, and it made me want to donate the food,” said Lamar, whose mom works at Tunxis.

Research shows rates of food insecurity for college students continues to exceed the national average. One in five students experience some form of food insecurity, which has a negative effect on student success in the classroom, and ultimately on students’ ability to complete their degree programs.

One of over 300 college pantries across the country, thePantry@Tunxis opened in fall 2016 to provide short-term food assistance to those Tunxis students who may be experiencing financial difficulties. The pantry seeks to alleviate the barriers and challenges associated with food insecurity (not being able to afford nourishing meals) and hunger so that students can remain in school and earn their degrees.

The Tunxis food pantry is a volunteer effort of employees and students throughout the college. Tunxis students are able to access nonperishable food, household, and personal care items twice a month and receive a total of 20 items per month by showing a valid Tunxis student ID.

The pantry is consistently in need of food and grocery store gift cards. A list of requested donation items is posted on the pantry website at tunxis.edu/pantry, and can be donated to the pantry during open hours. Donation boxes are also located in the 100 Building main entrance and in the 700 Building lobby. Donations may be in the form of nonperishable food, personal care items or gift cards to local grocery stores. Cash donations are also accepted through the Cashier’s Office (860.773.1315). Please contact afeest@tunxis.edu or call 860.773.1631 with any questions about donations.